CategoryProfiles

by Mike Daniels Denver About 30 years ago, when I was a college student, someone gave me a Nam-myoho-renge-kyo card and told me briefly about the SGI. I didn’t think much of it, but it always stuck with me; the words were memorable. Years later, I learned more after reading that Wayne Shorter, a musician

by Marisa Marcenaro Gaylord, Mich. When I was a little girl, I heard Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the first time while my mom was watching a movie about Tina Turner. Over the years, that phrase stuck with me. Somehow, I knew that it was important. At the end of 2019, while taking a group picture, rather than

by Jay Brancato New York Since I was a child, I have grappled with my mental health, which resulted from physical and emotional abuse. I also struggled to follow my dream of singing on the Broadway stage and felt forced to abandon it. I coped by abusing alcohol and placing myself in harmful environments, and

by Mark Allison Athens, Tenn. When I first encountered Nichiren Buddhism around February 2020, I had resigned from my job due to health issues, and my marriage was falling apart. I felt like I wasn’t a good husband or friend, and I didn’t like who I had become. It was hard to look at myself

by Kara Durham Salt Lake City, Utah Over 10 years ago, I was introduced to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but because my life was shaken by a health condition, I forgot about Buddhism. Then, in 2018, I lost four people who were very important to me. The depression that followed felt insurmountable. I started therapy but couldn’t muster

by Dina Emberlin Carlisle, Iowa After both my 28-year-old stepson and mother passed away in a span of two years, I had trouble getting out of bed and could barely function. This led me on a spiritual journey two years ago. For some reason, the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo stuck with me ever since I had watched

by Angela Baden Silver Spring, MD. As a longtime SGI member, I have been chanting a lot of daimoku about how I can reach young people. This year, with the HOPE Campaign’s emphasis on planting seeds, I have been reaching out to so many capable young people in my neighborhood. I love it when some

Soka University of America alumni profiles.

by Daniel Asato Gonzalez Lafayette, LA. I’m a film student in my last semester of college, and I’ll be the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. One of the things I’ve been challenging the most in our HOPE Campaign is study. Since I’m a student, the thought of doing more study

Faith Jones Peekskill, N.Y. In college, I had dreams of getting a prestigious, well-paying job, so I worked hard to build a resume strong enough to make that a reality. That’s how I thought I was going to make my life matter. I’m going to be somebody one day, I thought. The year I graduated,

Brian Enright Oakland, Calif. I was a starving sculptor before I was introduced to the SGI. I knew I wanted to do art, but I didn’t have a plan or a sense of mission to pursue it for a reason greater than myself. My parents were visibly frustrated with me leaving my stable work in

World Tribune: Congratulations, Isamarie, on your recent appointment as a group women’s leader! We understand that there is an inspiring story behind this? Isamarie Ortiz (group women’s leader, Tampa, Fla.): Yes, this was more than a 10-year journey. From 2009 to 2019, I had taken a break from my Buddhist practice, and during that time,

by Andy Utsumi Arlington, Texas I’m an assistant principal of an elementary school, where we currently have about a third learning virtually (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Many of them are having a hard time with online learning, so I have been encouraging our virtual students by phone and having cafeteria lunches on Zoom together.

by Cindy HetzelBeacon, New York After high school, I swooped away to New York City as a fashion model. A few years later, I started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and my career took off. For most of my 22 years of Buddhist practice, I’ve gotten exactly what I’ve chanted for, but I hit a major wall at

by Swati Basu San Francisco When I lost my job in June 2020, I was forced to think outside the box amid the COVID-19 situation. I always had the dream of opening my own small business that would allow me to apply my skills and creativity. In the pandemic, I had rekindled my passion for

by Crystal Mae Fraser 32 years old Denver A really pivotal moment was in my first year of Buddhist practice in 2014. At that time, I began to love myself for who I was and came out to my family as a lesbian. For so long, I had been fearful of not being accepted, but

by Katy Saini 34 years old Centreville, VA. When I was 9 months old, I contracted bacterial meningitis and lost my hearing permanently. This experience eventually led me to become a teacher for deaf and hard of hearing children and those with other disabilities. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, I decided that my

by Michael Silvestre33 years oldOverland Park, Kan. In high school, I struggled with depression and tried to commit suicide. My brother began dragging me to SGI meetings, and I felt stronger and more hopeful through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Instead of just complaining about my problems, I became proactive toward overcoming them. In 2009, the year I received the

by Stuart Adams26 years oldAlameda, Calif. I was enrolled in the fire academy and working as an emergency medical technician when the coronavirus pandemic hit. With a local outbreak, I was transporting people confirmed to have or suspected of having COVID-19 on each shift. With a grueling schedule, I often slept at the ambulance station. Every time

by Nhi Truong30 years oldPompano, Fla. As an international student from Vietnam studying in the United States, I really struggled with low self-esteem, and because of the language barrier, it was hard for me to connect with others. I felt like no one understood me, not even my aunt who helped me move to the U.S.